Sydney Philharmonia Choirs is set to celebrate its Centenary
in 2020 with a future-focused program, shining light on Australian
composers, and on the organisation’s longstanding commitment to
collaboration, community and connection.
At the heart of their Centenary celebrations is the commissioning of
“100 Minutes of New Australian Music”, to be premiered as part of the
Choirs’ 2020 Season. Works from 12 Australian composers will make their
debut as part of the initiative, including four on the international
stage, as part of a European tour in October.
Comprising a variety of works created to varying length, scale and
theme, the composite “100 Minutes of New Australian Music” will showcase
a uniquely Australian contribution to the art form of choral music.
Highlights will include a series of works by Indigenous Australian
composers, offering both chorister and audience a distinctive
performance experience; and a new major work from Brett Dean, to be
premiered in partnership with leading orchestras across Europe.
From the most well-known to emerging composers, “100 Minutes of New
Australian Music” embraces a diverse expertise, representative of the
rich makeup of Australia’s music community: with pieces by Brett Dean,
Elena Kats-Chernin, Deborah Cheetham, Joseph Twist, Brooke Shelley,
James Henry, Nardi Simpson, Will Yaxley, Matthew Orlovich, Daniel
Brinsmead, Maria Lopes, and Andrew Anderson.
At least one of the new compositions – ranging from pieces for small
ensembles to those for large massed choirs, will be performed at each of
the organisation’s concerts, rolling out throughout their anniversary
year.
Whilst marking 100 years since 12 church choristers first met in
1920, forming the original “Hurlstone Park Choral Society”, Sydney
Philharmonia Choirs will also pay tribute to the many collaborations and
partnerships that have seen the organisation mature over the decades,
informing their position as Australia’s leading choral organisation,
recognised around the world for its contribution to Sydney’s vibrant
artistic and cultural identity.
Long Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ performance home, and a frequent
programming partner, Sydney Opera House formally acknowledged their
longstanding relationship with the Choirs in August 2019, by welcoming
the organisation as a Resident Company. It is only fitting therefore
that the Choirs’ 2020 Centenary Season begin here, with a free open-air
performance, heralding the coming year with a nod to Australia’s premier
city; and to past, present, and future possibilities.
On Sunday January 19, as the first rays of light break over Sydney, a
Dawn Chorus will
begin, comprising hundreds of singers from the Choirs’ 600 strong
membership, gathered on the steps of Sydney Opera House, conducted by
Artistic and Music Director, Brett Weymark. Markedly, the opening note
of the year will go to the world premiere of a choral Acknowledgement of
Country,
Tarimi nulay - Long time living here (Gadigal
language), composed by acclaimed Indigenous Australian soprano and
composer, Deborah Cheetham: the first of the Choirs’ commissions to make
its debut as part of “100 Minutes of New Australian Music”.
With eyes to the future, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs also embraces new
relationships in 2020, and revitalises long-standing friendships with
both the City Recital Hall and the Sydney Town Hall.
In February the Choirs will partner with City Recital Hall to present
the Australian premiere of Craig Hella Johnson’s Grammy- nominated
oratorio,
Considering Matthew Shepard. Written in response to
one of the worst anti-gay hate crimes in history, this moving work
commemorates a young American college student who was kidnapped, beaten,
tied to a fence and left to die, in Wyoming in October 1998.
In April the Choirs present the first of their large scale concerts
for the year, in the stunning surrounds of Sydney Town Hall. A
significant space, where so many of Sydney Philharmonia’s performances
have occurred over its 100-year history, the Town Hall will host four of
the organisation’s major 2020 presentations, beginning with their
Easter Saturday concert,
St John Passion Reimagined.
The dramatic power of Bach’s St John Passion has transcended
its church origins to speak a universal, musical message that combines
storytelling and meditation. In this re-imagined performance two
specially commissioned “reflections” by Australian composers, Joseph
Twist and Brooke Shelley, are embedded in the narrative, commenting on
questions posed by this great work, and providing musical and
philosophical reflections for the modern era.
Come May and Sydney Philharmonia’s 400-voice Festival Chorus will
fill the Town Hall with the exhilarating sounds of Mendelssohn’s choral
masterpiece Elijah. Based on the Old Testament story, it’s a
thrilling musical picture of “a grand and mighty prophet...borne on the
wings of angels” and featuring Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Elijah. This is the
first of the Choirs’ participatory events for the year, with rehearsals
starting in February.
In June, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs present their showpiece Sydney concert for the year, A Centenary Celebration. An
epic performance across three acts, this spectacular concert will
celebrate 100 years of singing, and the ever-evolving cultural fabric of
the city the Choirs call home.
A Centenary Celebration features a major new work from Elena
Kats-Chernin; the Sydney premiere of a new work from Deborah Cheetham;
new works from James Henry and Nardi Simpson; and a mash-up of the top
ten choral masterpieces at the core of the Choirs’ repertoire, created
for the Philharmonia by Dan Walker.
And in October, the Choir’s ChorusOz program comes to the Town Hall,
drawing hundreds of participants from around Australia and beyond, for
an intensive weekend of music-making, culminating in a one-off
performance of Verdi’s great masterpiece, his Requiem.
Also in October, 120 choristers from the Choirs’ acclaimed Symphony
Chorus, Chambers Singers and VOX choirs, will embark on a “Centenary
Tour”, premiering a unique portfolio of new Australian choral music by
Brett Dean, Matthew Orlovich, Daniel Brinsmead and Will Yaxley, to
audiences in the UK and Germany.
Presented in collaboration with esteemed local orchestral partners
including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and Lyon National Orchestra, the tour
represents an exceptional opportunity for European musicians to learn
and present new Australian music, and for audiences to experience the
latest Australian creativity and innovation.
In November, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs returns to the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room to present Transcendence,
a concert in honour of the patron saint of music and musicians, Saint
Cecilia. The chant-inspired music of visionary American composer Lou
Harrison provides the framework for a garland of choral tributes from
composers across the ages, including new works from Maria Lopes and
Andrew Anderson.
As the finale for their 2020 celebrations, the Choirs will take their
Christmas Carols event to Western Sydney, presenting two performances
of Carols at the Coliseum, at Sydney’s newest venue The Sydney Coliseum Theatre. This will be a family-friendly program based around Robert Shaw’s Many Moods of Christmas, featuring baroque classics, show tunes and everyone’s favourite Christmas carols.
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ Artistic and Music Director Brett Weymark
says, “2020 is a very special year for us at the Sydney Philharmonia
Choirs, celebrating the extraordinary milestone of 100 years of singing
together. So how do you celebrate 100 years of music making? You create
something new - hence our ambitious project of 100 minutes of new music
to celebrate our centenary. 100 for 100! An opportunity to explore our
past, the present and our future as an artistic force in our city.
“We have major works being presented by our choirs in Sydney and
abroad, from international names such as Brett Dean and Elena
Kats-Chernin, to emerging artists and even members of our own choirs. In
2016 we made a commitment to the female voice in the compositional
world with our contribution to the National Women Composers Development
Program and this continues in the coming year, under the watchful eye of
Liza Lim.
“In 2020 we launch a program that embraces the Indigenous Australian
voice in choral music. Each concert this season will commence with a
sung Acknowledgment of Country - Tarimi nulay - Long time living here
(Gadigal language), written by the acclaimed Deborah Cheetham and
Matthew Doyle, alongside new works by Nardie Simpson and James Henry.
This is the start of an ongoing cultural conversation with the First
Nations peoples of Australia and one we know will enrich the lives of
our singers and our understanding about how we can better shape the
future of this country.
“In an age where many people express despair at a lack of connection
with each other, live music-making continues to be one of the most
dynamic exchanges of energy we have as a society.
Composers share their
vision with performers who then communicate directly with an audience in
a relationship that is closely connected. People watch, listen and
feel. They forge a connection that can profoundly change the way we look
at the world. We cannot wait to share the gift of music with you.”
For updates on international tour venues and ticket availability, join Sydney Philharmonia’s mailing list at
sydneyphilharmonia.com.au
Find out how to sing with the Choirs, here:
Auditioned choirs –
sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/choirs/auditioned-choirs/
Community choirs, no experience necessary -
sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/choirs/community-choirs/
Photographer: Keith Saunder.
Sydney Performances:
Dawn Chorus
Sunday 19 January, Dawn
Monumental Stairs, Sydney Opera House
Considering Matthew Shepard
Thursday 20 February, 7.30pm City Recital Hall
St John Passion Reimagined
Saturday 11 April, 3pm Sydney Town Hall
Elijah
Saturday 9 May, 3pm Sydney Town Hall
A Centenary Celebration
Saturday 20 June, 5pm Sydney Town Hall
ChorusOz: Verdi Requiem
Sunday 4 October, 5pm
Sydney Town Hall
Transcendence
Saturday 21 November, 5pm
Sunday 22 November, 2pm
Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
Carols at the Coliseum
Saturday 19 December, 8pm Sunday 20 December, 2pm
Sydney Coliseum Theatre
sydneyphilharmonia.com.au
Read about more 2020 Seasons
(c) January 2020. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
